Wednesday 9 November 2016

Kitchen: Week 2 Day 1

Monday was an odd day.  From having had a kitchen on Friday, it returned to being a building site. The kitchen fitter came, oiled and fitted the worktop on the island.  It looked lovely. (Phew!) And then it had a board put over it and was all covered over to protect it from the plastering of the mock chimney and the lobby, and the painting of the walls, turning them from white to off white.

The other big thing to happen was the arrival of the window. We had been given permission to raise and replace one of the windows.  And don't panic all you old house purists, it was a relatively recent and not very nice window with plastic secondary glazing.  The window man was due to arrive at 12.30.  At 2.30, I persuaded S to chase him on the telephone, knowing that S is much better at being cross than I am!  Window man said that he would be with us at 3.30. He arrived at 4.

Remember it is November and not only is it getting dark at 4, it was also freezing cold.  It took him until 9pm to fit the window because, oddly enough, the window aperture wasn't straight, although the window was.  It was a choice of cutting the window or cutting the wall.  He went for the wall.  For most of the evening, we had a gaping hole, exposing us to the elements. The trip from hall to kitchen was like entering the Arctic Circle.

The other thing to worry about was that he had to access the window from the inside. Toby, the kitchen fitter, had put a board on the units to protect everything until the worktops arrive.  He had written on the bit over the sink - Do not kneel on this.  It was clear and non-negotiable. But window man had to in order to reach the window from the inside.  Luckily, the builders were on hand to put long scaffolding boards on top, spreading his weight and protecting the sink, dishwasher and fridge, which probably aren't strong enough to take the weight of a window man.

A bit of a low point all round.  But, when I took these pictures of the window the next day, my optimism returned.  It looks good.  Too white and bright at present but, once it is painted and quietens down, all will be well.  It looks good from the outside too.  I will try to remember to go outside to get you a picture.

Gary the painter in his camouflage gear - I walked past him twice with his cup of tea!

The covered island

The plastered 'chimney' with the new window to the left

The lobby awaiting plastering and the aga swathed in plastic (sadly, but perhaps fortuitously, switched off) 

The stripped doors - to be painted and refitted

The lobby

And the window in all its glory

2 comments:

  1. Nice Kitchen Fitting. Useful blog. Thanks for Sharing. Don't miss to check Our Beautiful Nobilia Kitchens.

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  2. Oh wow! i had no idea The Old Rectory has become a home. I am so jealous! I used to work there when it was EMO, and have always loved the place. Congratulations on finally turning it into the home it deserves to be.

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